Leona Lodge

This place is really a hidden gem! We took our dogs and were able to have them off leash when there were no other dogs or people around. We went after it had rained for a couple of days so it was pretty muddy but we were ready. The small bridges are cool, the scenery, hearing the little river/​creek that goes through it is nice also. You can take a break and go down to the water to relax and take some nice photos. Recommend for sure! Only thing to be careful for is the small paths that lead to a steep little fall.

beautiful and cozy location!

Fine facility overall, but for a wedding venue, I would have given it two stars. It was fine, seemed clean inside but still had the look of a rec-​center. I guess what was most disappointing is that I expected a nice grove of trees outside for a ceremony (based on what I had heard from the website and other reviews), but it was really just muddy and unkempt. Condom on the ground, that kind of stuff. Not really ideal for a wedding.

Leona Lodge is definitely a unique, woodsy and somewhat «retro» place to have an event! We had 90 guests there for a lsit-​down uncheon meeting and celebration. We all fit in easily & comfortably. Just in the last week or so they replaced the old metal chairs with more fashionable and comfortable ones — that was a real plus! There has been some nice, recent remodeling of the main room and entry area as well.
The building has no air conditioning, so remember to bring fans!
On the «minus» side, the bathrooms and outdoor bbq area are in sad shape. With only 2 stalls in the women’s room, it was disturbing to have one of the stall doors malfunction and lock from the inside. We were not able to use it during our event! When we reported to our absent facility person (at the end of the day), she shrugged and said that this locked stalled door has been on the «repair list» for quite some time. In general, the bathrooms really need to be updated.
In terms of the bbq, it is unusable — so the outdoor area is a bit strange and not really useable.
I hope the City of Oakland will put a bit of $$ into the place! The location just off Hwy 13 is convenient in terms of car/​freeway access & parking, which is why we chose it. Safeway @ Lincoln Center is just 5 minutes away in case something is forgotten.
We used Market Hall Catering and they were terrific. They are also close by and familar with the venue.

This is a great facility for a baby shower or bridal shower.
I hosted a babyshower at the Leona Lodge two weeks ago, and it was great.
The only issue we had was with the attendant assigned to stay at the facility during the time of our event. She wasn’t an attendant whose presence went unnoticed. My family and guest definitely knew she was there for these reasons:
1. She sat right at the entrance of the facility; so you’d assume that she was part of the welcome committee, but her attitude immediately told you otherwise.
2. She hung out in the main part of the facility where the baby shower was taking place.
3. She made a plate of food and had lunch/​dinner on us (Maybe she forgot she wasn’t a guest).
4. We had a desert table, and she helped herself to cupcakes. She then planted herself right next to the desert table, thus solidifying herself in quite a number of our pictures.
Armando, was an absolute pleasure to work with in reserving the facility. It’s unfortunate that the attendant they used (Ronnie), provided a completely opposite experience.

This is five stars for comparison with other park&rec halls, not to be compared with The Fairmont. LL is very clean, quaint and well serviced. It is perfect for the low-​end priced woodsy-​log-​cabinish party hall. Nothing super fancy, so check it out for your event possibilities.

Gayle and I took a look at the Leona Lodge yesterday as part of our wedding venue search. The Lodge itself is in a woodsy setting and has a roomy interior that partially looks down on the ravine below. There’s also a nice BBQ area on one side.
However, both Gayle and I agreed that the Leona Lodge would work better as a place for a family reunion, reception or other party, rather than a wedding location. For that, the Sequoia Lodge would be a better choice.

got married here 33 years ago. it was cool and reasonably priced like $ 35 an hour. now its like $ 300 + to rent and they have all those extras you have to pay for. i think the total cost to rent this city of Oakland gem is 600 or 700 bucks. If youre into forestry and shit then have at it I think sequoia or joaquin miller offers better views than Leona.
it is what it is and it aint what it used to be.

wanna see the real oakland hills? Take a hike up the leona lodge trail. it is a steep red wooded ravine with a creek that flows through it. You must hop over rocks and water to continue your hike up through one of the only Oak forrests left in Oakland. Once at the top you can survey the whole bay area and take the fire trail down. Also, and not easy to find is the only old growth redwood tree in the area. Remember peeps these trees used to serve as navagational markers for boats in the SF Bay. They were the biggest in the area.